Sausage, Grits & Pecan Casserole

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup quick-cooking grits
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided (6 ounces)
• 4 tablespoons butter or 4 tablespoons margarine
• 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup milk
• 8 ounces mild breakfast sausage, browned and drained
• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 350 degrees if cooking at once.
• 2 (casserole can be assembled a day ahead and refrigerated).
• 3 lightly grease a 3-quart baking dish with melted butter and set aside.
• 4 place the water and salt in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
• 5 slowly stir in the grits, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.
• 6 simmer for 5 minutes, or until cooked, stirring occasionally.
• 7 remove the pan from the heat.
• 8 stir 1 cup of the cheese and butter into grits until melted.
• 9 add eggs, milk and sausage.
• 10 pour grits mixture into the prepared pan and sprinkle with remaining cheese and pecans.
• 11 place the pan in the oven and bake 1 hour, or until casserole bubbles and pecans have browned.
• 12 remove the pan to a rack to cool for 15 minutes before serving.
• 13 to make the day ahead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate after topping casserole with shredded cheese and pecans.
• 14 bake as directed the next morning.